University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, MN with South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Dakota State University is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (12,056 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Duluth is located in Duluth, MN (Small City setting); South Dakota State University is in Brookings, SD (Remote Town setting).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Dakota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1; South Dakota State University 17:1.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Minnesota-Duluth or South Dakota State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at South Dakota State University than University of Minnesota-Duluth ($19,932 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Dakota State University are 8.4% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($10,176 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 57.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Dakota State University (about $5,311 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $9,299.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.2% higher at University of Minnesota-Duluth than at South Dakota State University (about $7,321 more per year; $20,130.00 vs. $12,809.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at South Dakota State University (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 60.6% larger than aid received by South Dakota State University students ($7,186 vs. $4,474).

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Minnesota-Duluth or South Dakota State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Dakota State University and University of Minnesota-Duluth.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 120 points higher than at South Dakota State University (1150).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at South Dakota State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350; South Dakota State University 1060/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28; South Dakota State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional; South Dakota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman South Dakota State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• South Dakota State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.3%) than University of Minnesota-Duluth (88.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. 34.1% at South Dakota State University.

University of Minnesota-Duluth vs. South Dakota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Minnesota-Duluth and South Dakota State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• South Dakota State University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than University of Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than South Dakota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Duluth graduates have a $116 lower median loan debt than South Dakota State University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,116).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Dakota State University graduates ($258 vs. $259).
• More South Dakota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Duluth students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 76%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.